The Rhythm

4-STARS The Rhythm is Eddie Allen's second release by Push, as the veteran trumpeter calls the septet he first documented in 2014 with slightly different personnel. Allen's nicely juxtaposed, well wrought compositions and arrangements proceed to a broad array of grooves representing the various genres to which he's contributed the full-bodied tone, fluid phrasing and consummate technique that have earned the Milwaukee native first-caller status during four decades in New York, accumulating a c.v. that boasts multiple recordings with Mongo Santamaria, the Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra, Craig Harris & Tailgaters Tales, Louis Hayes and Houston Person.

Writing for a consummately individualistic, jazz-forward front line (trombone grandmaster Steve Turre, up-and-coming tenor saxophonist Jon Beshay) and a flexible, impeccable
rhythm section (20-something pianist Tyler Bullock, veteran bassist Kenny Davis, drum master E.J. Strickland), Allen tweaks the language with X-factor synth interpolations from
Misha Tsiganov, whose conceptual ingenuity, versatile mindset and innate taste conjure lilting kalimba colors on "Maurice" (for EW&F drummer Maurice White); Hammond B-3-ish strutting on "Our Day Will Come"; elongated harmonic drones underneath the gnarly changes, fluently navigated by each soloist, on "Between The Darkness And The Dawn"; phat funk bass lines on "Eve's Deception"; and eerie responses to Bullock's soulful postulations on "Mood Indigo," which proceeds to a decidedly un-mournful, "dance your troubles away" reggae beat. Serious fun from beginning to end.